Top 6 toys to foster problem solving skills
Problem-solving skills is the most sought-after soft skill of 2022. In fact, 86% of employers look for problem-solving skills on student resumes, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2022 survey.
Problem-solving skills are the ability to identify problems, brainstorm and analyze answers, and implement the best solutions. In the growing years for children, problem solving becomes an integral part of their success, confidence and independence. Problem solving helps children to make discoveries about the world around them, learn the skills to relate to others and communicate effectively while achieving developmental milestones.
Problem-solving is important because it helps children develop their own unique way of learning and discovering new things about themselves and their environment. Children develop problem solving skills as they grow along. As infants, children are learning how to control their bodies and interact with their environment. As toddlers, they begin problem solving by figuring out how things work and asking questions when they don't understand something. By preschool age, children are better able to identify problems and explore solutions with guidance from adults or peers.
Activities that foster Problem Solving
There are many activities that children take part in their day-to-day routine that require problem solving. Some examples are:
- Completing a task
- Engaging in academics
- Participating in athletics
- Interacting with peers
- Playing with toys
Children learn to solve simple and complex challenges on a daily basis. Learning problem solving skills help children with the techniques and tactics to avoid conflicts, develop empathy towards others and learn how to interact successfully with people, places and things.
Effective problem solving is essential for the development of children’s physical, cognitive, social, sensory, and communicative abilities and the capability to make qualified decisions for themselves.
Toys to promote problem solving skills
The Toy Room has created a collection of toys and games which help promote problem solving skills in children. These toys and games are selected keeping in mind their ease of use, their adaptability with children of different ages and most importantly the fun children will have playing with them.
Suitable for: Ages 0 - 3
A great first shape sorter for little hands, Tooky toys wooden shape sorter toys are brightly colored, easy to grip and come in a different shapes and sizes. With beautiful illustrations and simple instructions, children can enjoy finding the space for each shape.
With the wooden shape sorter, children develop early problem-solving skills, and the different colored shapes help in shapes and color recognition from an early age. The wooden shape sorter is ideal birthday gift for toddlers and suitable for toddlers aged 18 months and above.
2. Design and Drill Make a Marble Maze
Suitable for: Ages 5 - 8
Construction play meets engineering with this hands-on, DIY design and drill maze maker. The design and drill maze diy construction toy from learning resources is ideal for kids who love construction toys. Children will put their critical thinking skills to the test as they use a real working power drill to attach 15 track pieces of varying lengths and design a marble track to complete 10 different maze puzzle challenges. Make learning fun with learning resources toys.
3. Engino Creative Builder 50-in-1 Motorized Multimodel Set
Suitable for: Ages 8 - 12
The new Creative builder multimodel series is made with the ability to build fast and easy as many models as possible! The classic building system is deployed, which makes the sets suitable for 6 year olds, providing a stepping stone between the Qboidz and the Mechanics lines. Creativity development is the main focus of this series, starting from a 10 models set all the way to 120 models! All our sets from 30 models and above include the ENGINO new 2-speed motor for animated builds, from cars to cranes to dinosaurs and helicopters. The only limit is the imagination of the child!
4. Christmastime 1000 pc Jigsaw Puzzle
Suitable for: Ages 8 - 12
Set in the Victorian era, this pretty London lane is the place to pick up some wonderful Christmas gifts! At St George's Toy Shop you can find rocking horses, teddy bears and toy soldiers, whilst the shop opposite is the place to go if you're after a state of the art tin train set. A hansom cab has just picked up a passenger from the Queen's Arms Hotel and is making its way towards Big Ben, Parliament and the River Thames. The interesting shop windows, historic buildings and distant view of Big Ben make this an interesting and rewarding design to complete. Unwind, relax and create some mindful moments as you build this atmospheric and colourful puzzle!
5. Magnetic Game Neato Number Train
Suitable for: Ages 3 - 5
Choo, choo! Here comes the neato number-train! There’s space in the locomotive and wagons for just the right number of balls. Using the magnetic pen, children guide the balls from their parking space and load them onto the train. With this magnetic game, Neato number-train, children playfully become familiar with numbers 1 to 5.
Suitable for: Ages 8 - 12
This Anti-Monopoly board game for kids may look familiar, but don't be fooled… this is Anti-Monopoly, the real-estate trading game for the 21st Century. Anti-Monopoly game is a family favourite with an exciting twist! Players first have to choose Free Enterprise or Monopoly, then play under different rules depending on which option each selects. Competitors charge fair market value while monopolists take over whole neighborhoods and jack up rents. In real life, monopolists have an unfair advantage but in Anti-Monopoly game, competitors have a fair shot at coming out on top! A brilliant family favourite, perfect for games nights is ideal for 2-6 players aged 8 years and over.
Problem solving skills play a very important role throughout our daily lives and fostering that skill in children from an early age helps them solve problems and challenges efficiently. The Toy Room has a curated collection of toys and games for elevating problem solving skills in children from an early age.